Harry Brenson Summerlin passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and family on Thursday, January 30th, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 71 years old. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Hampton Davis and Father Thomas Voorhies on Tuesday, February 4th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Eunice, LA. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Harry was married to Jeanie Bordelon Summerlin for 48 years, they have three children, Ben (Laura), Sarah Oliver (Ian), and Douglas (Aimee), and eleven grandchildren, Harry III, Douglas, Susannah, Blake, Henry, Stella, Oscar, Joseph, Liam, Archie and Michael. He is survived by one brother, Archie (Phyllis) Summerlin, and one sister, Michelle Summerlin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.B. “Johnny” and Dorothy “Tee” Ransom Summerlin; his sisters, Jean Tanner, Renee Fleming; and brother, Damien.
After graduating from St. Edmund Catholic School, Harry attended LSUE continuing to LSU where he was known to rowdily cheer on the Tigers. Upon graduation, he began his career as an educator at Saint Edmund Catholic School, Eunice Junior High and eventually Eunice High teaching and coaching football. He briefly stepped away from teaching to work in the oil industry at Sunland Construction and I.E. Miller & Sons Oil Field Hauling Co. Returning to education, Harry served as Assistant Principal of Eunice Junior High School before being hired as Principal at St. Edmund. He worked to advance parochial school athletics within the LHSAA serving on the Executive Committee as the only private school representative elected to the Committee at that time. After retirement from St. Edmund, Harry spent several years teaching at Iota Middle School.
Harry served as Alderman for the City of Eunice from 1990 - 1998, and after retiring from education, he returned to work briefly assisting both Mayors Rusty Moody and Scott Fontenot.
Harry was a renaissance man as his hobbies encompassed many disciplines. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and never passed up the opportunity to spend time outdoors, especially at his beloved BeSaDo. When hunting season ended and the fish weren’t biting, he spent many hours reading or in his workshop, building furniture, carving wooden decoys, walking sticks, or painting various scenes and decoys. He even found time to write a word of poetry and his journals.
His most precious moments were those spent with family and friends. His friends are the keepers of many stories of Harry’s shenanigans. His sons and grandsons are the benefactors of early morning crabbing trips to Holly Beach, hunts, fishing, and marathon games of Chess and Monopoly. His daughter and granddaughters enabled him to love unconditionally with absolute affection, giving them the moon and the stars just to see them smile. But his wife received the greatest gift, his heart. He often said that he married the one person that would help him get to heaven. He is loved by all who knew him and will be remembered for his great affection for those around him.
At the request of the family, visitation will be held at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Eunice on Monday, February 3rd, from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday, February 4th, from 9:00 a.m. until time of services. A Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3rd by Deacon Chuck Ortego.
Memorial donations can be made to the St. Edmund School Foundation or the Monsignor Harry Benefiel Foundation, 351 West Magnolia, Eunice, LA 70535, PH: 337/457-3777.
Family and friends may view this obituary and sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Eunice, 1301 West Laurel Ave, (337)457.3371 is in charge of arrangements.